FIFA alerted to transfer scam

FIFA has been alerted after a rogue group offered Tottenham the chance to sign FC Twente striker Luc Castaignos using falsified documents.

Spurs were offered the chance to sign former Inter Milan striker Luc Castaignos.

The Dutch football employers’ organisation, FBO, has also warned three agents over the matter after Twente chairman Joop Munsterman’s signature was apparently forged for a false mandate document authorising Castaignos’ sale.

Voetbal International reported on Monday that the ruse had emerged when Spurs were contacted by a Croatian negotiator claiming the Netherlands under-21 international was available for transfer.

However, the Daily Telegraph reports that Spurs -- having good links with Twente following the Nacer Chadli transfer in the summer as well as being familiar with one of Castaignos’ agents -- became suspicious and contacted the Eredivisie club.

Twente issued a statement on Wednesday confirming that the FBO had alerted the Dutch football federation (KNVB) and asked UEFA and FIFA to take the appropriate measures.

Twente’s finance and control manager Gert-Jan Nijweide added: “We were recently informed about this scam via an English club and subsequently contacted the FBO. The people who have been using this falsified document have been sent a letter ordering them to stop immediately.”

The FBO’s Serge Rossmeisl told Voetbal International: “We have written a letter to these guys letting them know that they are using a forged document and demanding that they cease to do so immediately.

“It’s a very unusual case. I’ve worked here for 12 years without coming across anything like this.”